This brief examines the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in countries affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, specifically Georgia, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine. It explores gaps and opportunities for further integrating the WPS agenda within the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus in these contexts. The potential of feminist foreign policy (FFP) to advance the WPS agenda and HDP nexus is briefly discussed.

This Gender Snapshot highlights the progress and challenges in achieving gender equality across the Europe and Central Asia region, thirty years after the Beijing Platform for Action and with only five years left to meet the 2030 Agenda. Covering 18 countries across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Western Balkans and Türkiye, the snapshot presents key data on SDG 5 indicators, revealing that while some advancements have been made, structural barriers and discrimination continue to hinder progress. With only 3 out of 18 countries on track to meet gender equality targets, urgent action is needed to accelerate change. The snapshot underscores the interconnections between gender equality and sustainable development, emphasizing the crucial role of women and girls in shaping a more just and equitable future.

North Macedonia’s EU integration has progressed significantly, with accession negotiations officially launched in 2022. This report examines key milestones, institutional reforms, and the role of gender equality in the process. While progress has been made in policy alignment, challenges remain in implementation and institutional coordination. Strengthening gender mainstreaming and interministerial cooperation is crucial to achieving sustainable reforms aligned with EU standards.

The publication analyses gender equality within the justice sector, focusing on institutional effectiveness, gender-based violence (GBV), and discrimination. It reviews the Draft Law on Gender Equality and national policies to identify gaps and opportunities for gender mainstreaming. The report highlights key recommendations to strengthen access to justice and enhance gender equality mechanisms for a more inclusive and rights-based society.

This analysis explores North Macedonia’s competitiveness and innovation policies from a gender perspective. As the country progresses toward EU accession, aligning with the EU Gender Equality acquis is essential. Through data analysis and interviews, the report identifies challenges in gender integration within innovation-driven growth and offers policy recommendations to enhance institutional frameworks, ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic development.

The discussion sheds light on the experiences and obstacles Afghan women face, stressing their exclusion from the peace negotiations. Special focus was given to the critical limitations on education for Afghan women and girls, and the economic and employment barriers they encounter.

This brief presents key results from the E“EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" (phase 2) in 2024, which works to challenge gender stereotypes and discriminatory norms.The programme reached 6.8 million people through innovative campaigns, established 19 new Fathers’ Schools, and supported 25 grassroots initiatives initiatives led by civil society and women’s organizations to transform discriminatory gender norms.

The UN Women BiH 16 Days of Activism campaign in 2024, implemented under the motto "No Excuse for Gender-Based Violence", focused on femicide, its prevention, and strengthening support for women who have survived violence.

Developed in collaboration with TURKSTAT, Women in Türkiye: A Statistical Overview 2024 presents key gender statistics through official data, infographics, and visualizations. Covering topics like education, employment, poverty, political participation, and safety, it offers comparative insights into the status of women and men in Türkiye, highlighting trends and developments over time.

The UN Secretary-General’s report on the 30-year review and appraisal of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action reflects global, regional, and national reviews of 159 countries, summarizing progress and priorities for further action. This summary report highlights findings from the UN Secretary-General’s report.

HeForShe Central Asia's comic book challenges traditional gender stereotypes and encourages readers to rethink societal expectations. Through engaging illustrations and thought-provoking narratives, it highlights the importance of breaking free from harmful norms and building healthier, more equal relationships. The comic book developed with the support of the Central Asian Alliance To End Gender-Based Violence and UN Women Kazakhstan, this publication aims to inspire change across the region.

The Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) Resource Packs and Training Manuals, developed under the Transformative Financing for Gender Equality project, provide essential guidance for integrating GRB into planning and budgeting. These resources equip public officials, NGOs, and media with practical tools, case studies, and training modules to ensure policies and budgets are gender-responsive, promoting accountability, transparency, and inclusive governance.

UN Women's #ShineALight Campaign, conducted within 16 Days of Activism in 2024, drew attention to the root causes of gender-based violence, combat harmful norms and stereotypes, and challenge inequalities that perpetuate violence against women and girls. The report reflects on the outcomes of the campaign and the support it received from partners and private sector.

The sub-sector gender analysis of public administration reform in North Macedonia assesses gender equality in governance, highlighting legal and policy gaps, barriers to women’s leadership, and institutional challenges. Despite commitments to equal opportunities, structural obstacles persist. The analysis calls for stronger gender mainstreaming in recruitment, retention, policymaking, and public procurement, advocating for institutional reforms to promote gender-responsive governance and equal participation in decision-making.

This publication explores North Macedonia’s access to IPA III and IPARD III, highlighting their role in supporting reforms, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting sustainable development. It examines how these funds aid economic growth, public administration reform, and rural resilience, including the participation of women in farming, while aligning with EU policies. The publication provides insights into how pre-accession assistance contributes to North Macedonia’s EU integration process.

The fact sheet outlines the project and programme duration, key partners, and sources of funding. It highlights major interventions and milestones aimed at improving the lives of women, particularly those from vulnerable groups, by integrating a gender perspective into all stages of policymaking and budgeting. Additionally, it provides insights into gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) approaches in North Macedonia and the role of national and local stakeholders, including civil society organizations, in advancing gender equality.

This publication, “Fifteen Years of Implementing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Lessons Learned and Recommendations”, summarizes key findings on the progress and challenges of the WPS agenda since 2010. It provides insights and actionable recommendations to strengthen human security, promote gender equality, and advance the goals of the WPS agenda in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This publication highlights five success stories from municipalities in North Macedonia supported by UN Women, showcasing the transformative impact of gender-responsive budgeting. Over four years, GRB has addressed gender inequalities, improved resource allocation, and enhanced services for women, men, and vulnerable groups. These stories offer practical insights and inspiration for policymakers and advocates striving to promote gender equality and empower women through more inclusive budgeting and decision-making practices.

This concise report captures key highlights from a transformative event held in Hatay, uniting women entrepreneurs and cooperatives to foster economic recovery after the February 2023 earthquakes. Featuring expert panels, practical training, and support initiatives, the event empowered women with tools and knowledge for success in e-commerce and beyond. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in driving gender-responsive recovery and building resilience for women in Türkiye.

"Violence against women in politics in the Kyrgyz Republic. The experience of women candidates in the 2021 local elections" study is part of the global UN Women initiative to develop harmonized survey tools to collect comparable data on violence against women in politics. In Kyrgyz Republic was conducted in 2023-2024. The study included quantitative and qualitative components, with data collection conducted in July-September 2023.